Microsoft Surface Duo has finally gotten the FCC approval it needs. This is the last step a smartphone goes through before launching.
The company has been teasing the device on Twitter. With the FCC approval, it is more imminent that the Microsoft Surface Duo is arriving anytime soon. It is only a matter of time before Microsoft drops the bomb.
Besides the FCC approval, the upcoming device popped up in the Bluetooth SIG page.
Reports have said that the foldable device will arrive this July. However, it might not be the case as Microsoft has not announced any upcoming events yet. The upcoming release might be the last week of August or September.
What are the specs?
Everything remains uncertain at the moment. But, several reports say that the foldable device will have a Qualcomm Snapdragon 855 chipset.
There will be three variants available. The first one will have 6GB of RAM and 64GB of storage. The mid-tier doubles thee storage while the most expensive variant will have 256GB capacity. All variants will have the same RAM configuration.
The display is composed of two 5.6-inch AMOLED screens. The reported resolution will be 1800×1350 with 401ppi.
The camera will be a single 11-megapixel shooter at the back. The front fascia of the Surface Duo is composed of just the screen. The added screen estate is better for productivity tasks.
Other features include a fingerprint sensor and USB-C connectivity. It is also compatible with the Surface Pen.
There are several rumors regarding the battery. Others say that this device will have a 3,460mAh battery. However, some leaks suggest that it will have a 4,500mAh battery.
Hopefully, Microsoft will go for a larger battery. A dual-screen device can easily drain a 3,460mAh battery. It would be better to opt for a larger capacity.
Why use a previous generation processor?
The Qualcomm Snapdragon 865+ is rolling out on upcoming devices this year. But, it seems like Microsoft is stuck in the past by going for the Snapdragon 855.
The previous generation chipset is by no means a slouch. However, there is a reason why Microsoft went for the Snapdragon 855.
According to reports, the main reason why the upcoming device will be using previous chipsets is 5G connectivity.
Qualcomm is requiring all Snapdragon 865 devices to ship out with 5G connectivity. It would be easy if the 5G modem is embedded in the main chipset. But it is sold separately.
Microsoft was done with the Surface Duo’s design when Qualcomm implemented that rule. Changing the whole interior layout to accommodate a 5G modem will push back the release of the device.
It is still a good thing, however. The Snapdragon 865 has been criticized for its separate modem. It is also noted that the flagship chipset drains the battery quickly.
Plus, devices with the latest chipset are way more expensive this year.
There is an advantage of going with the old chipset route. Microsoft may lower the price for this device. It can easily cut the price point of the upcoming Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 2.
More Microsoft Surface Duo details soon
The Microsoft Surface Duo is an exciting device. Hopefully, Microsoft will release the full specifications of the device soon.
Images used courtesy of Microsoft Surface/YouTube Screenshots